top of page

Joanna Frank

Modern and Baroque Cello

Welcome

Thank you for taking some time to learn some more about me and my work.

It’s summer program season: HP edition 😎☀️🎵💃

It’s summer program season: HP edition 😎☀️🎵💃

39 performances and recordings later… thank you to all who helped make this the busiest… and most rewarding semester yet :)
.
Chamber Music Intensive - Kreisler string quartet
L’Egisto - Baroque Butter Battalion
Music Live at Lunch - Bach!
Orchestra gems
- photo credit Liming Yang
Performance space highlights
- Mother of God Roman Catholic Church
- Holy Spirit Parish - Newport, KY
Atrium series - Marcello and Barrière
Barrière cello sonata book 3 n. 3 ✨recording✨
- on my youtube, link in bio :)
Valerie Capers “Song of the Seasons” with Helele Fan
Classics for Kids interview with Jack Bunch and Maksym Mahlay - up on Cincinnati public radio website
Albatross trio - Farrenc and Liebermann
CCM Baroque - 🎶Chromaticism and Chaos 🎶
Glow Music Final Performance
- commissioned works by Siyuan Kang + Jingyu Luo
- photo credit Sydney Gregory
Bach 4 Allemande
Bach vs. Handel - joint recital with Maksym Mahlay
Backstage buddies
- Mahler Rückert-Lieder with Kristine Overman
- CO stand partner Mallory!
And so much more, again, this semester has been an absolute joy, I’m going to go take a nap and eat an entire aldis frozen pizza by myself :) 🫶
.
.
#ccm #cello #musician #goodnight

39 performances and recordings later… thank you to all who helped make this the busiest… and most rewarding semester yet :)
.
Chamber Music Intensive - Kreisler string quartet
L’Egisto - Baroque Butter Battalion
Music Live at Lunch - Bach!
Orchestra gems
- photo credit Liming Yang
Performance space highlights
- Mother of God Roman Catholic Church
- Holy Spirit Parish - Newport, KY
Atrium series - Marcello and Barrière
Barrière cello sonata book 3 n. 3 ✨recording✨
- on my youtube, link in bio :)
Valerie Capers “Song of the Seasons” with Helele Fan
Classics for Kids interview with Jack Bunch and Maksym Mahlay - up on Cincinnati public radio website
Albatross trio - Farrenc and Liebermann
CCM Baroque - 🎶Chromaticism and Chaos 🎶
Glow Music Final Performance
- commissioned works by Siyuan Kang + Jingyu Luo
- photo credit Sydney Gregory
Bach 4 Allemande
Bach vs. Handel - joint recital with Maksym Mahlay
Backstage buddies
- Mahler Rückert-Lieder with Kristine Overman
- CO stand partner Mallory!
And so much more, again, this semester has been an absolute joy, I’m going to go take a nap and eat an entire aldis frozen pizza by myself :) 🫶
.
.
#ccm #cello #musician #goodnight

We’re Bach to Handel more Baroque music! You better Jean-baptiste be there for a Marvecellois afternoon <3
.
April 18th at 2:00pm
Madison Ave Christian Church, 1530 Madison Ave
.
Joanna Frank, cello
Maksym Mahlay, harpsichord
.
🎵🎻🫶

We’re Bach to Handel more Baroque music! You better Jean-baptiste be there for a Marvecellois afternoon <3
.
April 18th at 2:00pm
Madison Ave Christian Church, 1530 Madison Ave
.
Joanna Frank, cello
Maksym Mahlay, harpsichord
.
🎵🎻🫶

Use code “I love baroque opera” for %50 off your next purchase of Benton’s Danish Butter Cookies*
*only applicable at the Aldi in Newport KY
.
.
#aldis #help #opera #pit #CCM

Use code “I love baroque opera” for %50 off your next purchase of Benton’s Danish Butter Cookies*
*only applicable at the Aldi in Newport KY
.
.
#aldis #help #opera #pit #CCM

new year, new cello -
Introducing: Beowulf 🗡️🍂🎶
.
.
.
.
Photo credits 📸 @summer_tinuviel

new year, new cello -
Introducing: Beowulf 🗡️🍂🎶
.
.
.
.
Photo credits 📸 @summer_tinuviel

Music of the Heart, Hands, and Soul 🎵✨
Tuesday, January 6th at 6:00pm
Payton Violins, 250 N Goodman St
.
Cheryl Frank, viola
Joanna Frank, cello
Bruce Frank, piano
.
Indigenous folk songs collected by William Harjo
in manus tuas by Caroline Shaw
Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 114 by Johannes Brahms
.
.
Accepting non-perishable food items for foodlink

Music of the Heart, Hands, and Soul 🎵✨
Tuesday, January 6th at 6:00pm
Payton Violins, 250 N Goodman St
.
Cheryl Frank, viola
Joanna Frank, cello
Bruce Frank, piano
.
Indigenous folk songs collected by William Harjo
in manus tuas by Caroline Shaw
Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 114 by Johannes Brahms
.
.
Accepting non-perishable food items for foodlink

3rd times the charm ✨🎵

Thank you to everyone who helped make this semester the best so far 🫶

3rd times the charm ✨🎵

Thank you to everyone who helped make this semester the best so far 🫶

November recital 🥳🫶💃💃💃
Shostakovich cello concerto no. 1 and Terra Trio debut! With Arensky?!? Now that’s a banger recital 😎
.
.
.
.
Full recording of Shostakovich on my YouTube, link in bio :)
#ccm #cello #pianotrio #shostakovich #arensky #bangerrecitalfr

November recital 🥳🫶💃💃💃
Shostakovich cello concerto no. 1 and Terra Trio debut! With Arensky?!? Now that’s a banger recital 😎
.
.
.
.
Full recording of Shostakovich on my YouTube, link in bio :)
#ccm #cello #pianotrio #shostakovich #arensky #bangerrecitalfr

It’s been an eventful week at CCM! 😁🎶👯�‍♀️
.
.
.
Bach suite 2 in atrium
Jennifer Higdon residency - « Love Sweet »
Boccherini Bash - Studio Recital
Shostakovich piano trio no. 2 performance

#ccm #musicschool #cello #chambermusic #bach #higdon #boccherini #shostkovich #wtaf #sickbutnottrust

It’s been an eventful week at CCM! 😁🎶👯‍♀️
.
.
.
Bach suite 2 in atrium
Jennifer Higdon residency - « Love Sweet »
Boccherini Bash - Studio Recital
Shostakovich piano trio no. 2 performance

#ccm #musicschool #cello #chambermusic #bach #higdon #boccherini #shostkovich #wtaf #sickbutnottrust

A day in the life of eating sleeping practicing and repeating 😤
.
.
.
#dayinthelifevlog #ccm #ccmstudent #cello #musicschool #thriving

A day in the life of eating sleeping practicing and repeating 😤
.
.
.
#dayinthelifevlog #ccm #ccmstudent #cello #musicschool #thriving

Just me and Clara, Clara and me 🫶🎻🎵

Just me and Clara, Clara and me 🫶🎻🎵

More from the stage at Ascent ☀️🎶
.
.
.
.
in manus tuas by Caroline Shaw
Dohnanyi Serenade for string trio
Beethoven String Quartet Op. 74 “Harp”

More from the stage at Ascent ☀️🎶
.
.
.
.
in manus tuas by Caroline Shaw
Dohnanyi Serenade for string trio
Beethoven String Quartet Op. 74 “Harp”

Ascent 2025 🫶🎶🎻
What’s the purpose of life if not doing what you love with people you love?

*ahhhhhhh* #khalil

Ascent 2025 🫶🎶🎻
What’s the purpose of life if not doing what you love with people you love?

*ahhhhhhh* #khalil

Solo and chamber performances ❄️January❄️ to 🌷April🌷 (Aka, my life purpose on some slides)

I’ve had so much fun this semester playing the most chamber music I’ve ever played in my entire life. Never have I moved this fast through rep, played with this many people, and also learned so much and had so much fun! Thank you all for making this semester so amazing, and I can’t wait to keep making music with you next semester <3

Solo and chamber performances ❄️January❄️ to 🌷April🌷 (Aka, my life purpose on some slides)

I’ve had so much fun this semester playing the most chamber music I’ve ever played in my entire life. Never have I moved this fast through rep, played with this many people, and also learned so much and had so much fun! Thank you all for making this semester so amazing, and I can’t wait to keep making music with you next semester <3

✨Trio Sonata time pt. 2!✨
feat. @sophia.g.14268 and @didomaksym
.
.
.
#fyp #baroque #explore #harpischord #earlymusic #maksymmahlay

✨Trio Sonata time pt. 2!✨
feat. @sophia.g.14268 and @didomaksym
.
.
.
#fyp #baroque #explore #harpischord #earlymusic #maksymmahlay

Had so much fun at my recital at Church of our Savior last Wednesday, I’ve grown so much just from the beginning of first semester, and it was so nice to play for you all. Can’t wait to see what second semester brings :)

Full recordings coming to my YouTube channel soon (maybe not the Saint-Saëns… although that Bach did eat…)

Had so much fun at my recital at Church of our Savior last Wednesday, I’ve grown so much just from the beginning of first semester, and it was so nice to play for you all. Can’t wait to see what second semester brings :)

Full recordings coming to my YouTube channel soon (maybe not the Saint-Saëns… although that Bach did eat…)

Had so much fun playing Mendelssohn c minor with @jie.zhou23333 and @mingyang.gaoo on Monday. It was an amazing way to start my first semester of chamber here at CCM, so excited for many more :)

Had so much fun playing Mendelssohn c minor with @jie.zhou23333 and @mingyang.gaoo on Monday. It was an amazing way to start my first semester of chamber here at CCM, so excited for many more :)

Les Berceaux, Chanson Triste, and The Swan - highlights

I absolutely love performing, and as a performance major, I thought, “hmm, maybe I should perform some more”, and what better way to spend my last full day in Rochester before heading off to conservatory AS a performance major than to perform some of my favorite miniatures for some of my favorite people. I am so grateful for everyone here in Rochester, everyone who has been with me the whole journey, who has helped me along the way, and I am so excited to continue to grow, perform and ABSOLUTELY CRUSH IT at CCM 💃💪😤💃🫡🐻🐱💃🥖🥖💃

Also props to Cheryl, my wonderful mother, and amazing, patient, and gorgeous accompanist, this is not the end of me asking you to sight-read Brahms at 11 pm! (I’m sorry)

To see the full recordings, go to my YouTube channel, link in bio :)

Les Berceaux, Chanson Triste, and The Swan - highlights

I absolutely love performing, and as a performance major, I thought, “hmm, maybe I should perform some more”, and what better way to spend my last full day in Rochester before heading off to conservatory AS a performance major than to perform some of my favorite miniatures for some of my favorite people. I am so grateful for everyone here in Rochester, everyone who has been with me the whole journey, who has helped me along the way, and I am so excited to continue to grow, perform and ABSOLUTELY CRUSH IT at CCM 💃💪😤💃🫡🐻🐱💃🥖🥖💃

Also props to Cheryl, my wonderful mother, and amazing, patient, and gorgeous accompanist, this is not the end of me asking you to sight-read Brahms at 11 pm! (I’m sorry)

To see the full recordings, go to my YouTube channel, link in bio :)

Highlights from Elgar cello concerto mvt. I with HYSO at the Mother’s Day spring concert.

I still can’t get over this. This, being my third time soloing with an orchestra and this being my very last concert, after 5 years, with HYSO. And that I had the privilege of being principal of a wonderful, fun, and supportive section for 2 years! (I <3 and will miss you guys sm)! And omg! We went to Italy?! And Germany?! And the Czech Republic?! Who let that happen?!

Having had the privilege to participate in so many wonderful opportunities has just left me feeling so immensely grateful for everyone who has helped me along in my musical journey: all my friends, mentors, parents… Because as hard as you may work in the practice room, if you don’t put yourself out there, and if no one puts extra effort into seeing you and fostering your passion, then it won’t happen. And that’s kind of why I’m still in awe, because it’s happened. That’s what the past couple years of my life have been leading up to this concerto (and conservatory decision!), and that’s why I have been able to go as far as I have and why I feel so inspired to continue going further. So thank you, thank you to everyone who has seen me, who has put extra effort into me and who has helped me turn my passion for life into something I can share with others. Thank you to HYSO :)

Full recording of the Elgar can be found on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Y0nPAADCpiI

Highlights from Elgar cello concerto mvt. I with HYSO at the Mother’s Day spring concert.

I still can’t get over this. This, being my third time soloing with an orchestra and this being my very last concert, after 5 years, with HYSO. And that I had the privilege of being principal of a wonderful, fun, and supportive section for 2 years! (I <3 and will miss you guys sm)! And omg! We went to Italy?! And Germany?! And the Czech Republic?! Who let that happen?!

Having had the privilege to participate in so many wonderful opportunities has just left me feeling so immensely grateful for everyone who has helped me along in my musical journey: all my friends, mentors, parents… Because as hard as you may work in the practice room, if you don’t put yourself out there, and if no one puts extra effort into seeing you and fostering your passion, then it won’t happen. And that’s kind of why I’m still in awe, because it’s happened. That’s what the past couple years of my life have been leading up to this concerto (and conservatory decision!), and that’s why I have been able to go as far as I have and why I feel so inspired to continue going further. So thank you, thank you to everyone who has seen me, who has put extra effort into me and who has helped me turn my passion for life into something I can share with others. Thank you to HYSO :)

Full recording of the Elgar can be found on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Y0nPAADCpiI

I am so excited to announce my ECMS honors recital, which will be on Monday, May 20th at 6:30 pm in Hatch Recital Hall at the Eastman School of Music! I am playing Fauré and Brahms, accompanied by my beautiful mother, Cheryl Frank, as well as a ton of solo Bach oopsies. There will be a reception to follow (Free food!)

If you can’t make it in person, the live stream link is: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/live/hatch/

Can’t wait!

I am so excited to announce my ECMS honors recital, which will be on Monday, May 20th at 6:30 pm in Hatch Recital Hall at the Eastman School of Music! I am playing Fauré and Brahms, accompanied by my beautiful mother, Cheryl Frank, as well as a ton of solo Bach oopsies. There will be a reception to follow (Free food!)

If you can’t make it in person, the live stream link is: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/live/hatch/

Can’t wait!

H. Leslie Adams, Aria (2005) for cello and piano (originally written for bass oop)
Recording taken in November of 2023 as a part of pre-screenings for conservatory

My wonderful mother is yet again accompanying me thank you Cheryl <3

I was hesitant to post this because it’s not my cleanest performance but I’ve been waiting on that other recoding of that other performance that is supposedly better (in my memory) for like 2 months and I stumbled across this while looking through my camera roll and hey it’s not half bad so here you go! This is the first recording ever taken of this piece (that I know of) so that’s like kind of really cool. The composer is also still alive so maybe I’ll email him the recording idk.

H. Leslie Adams, Aria (2005) for cello and piano (originally written for bass oop)
Recording taken in November of 2023 as a part of pre-screenings for conservatory

My wonderful mother is yet again accompanying me thank you Cheryl <3

I was hesitant to post this because it’s not my cleanest performance but I’ve been waiting on that other recoding of that other performance that is supposedly better (in my memory) for like 2 months and I stumbled across this while looking through my camera roll and hey it’s not half bad so here you go! This is the first recording ever taken of this piece (that I know of) so that’s like kind of really cool. The composer is also still alive so maybe I’ll email him the recording idk.

Popper etude no. 10
Recording taken October 2023 as a part of pre-screenings.

Popper etude no. 10
Recording taken October 2023 as a part of pre-screenings.

Week #10 of #52weeksofpractice (Oct 16-22)

All Elgar this week! I posted more of my “mistakes” bc I think that’s important to show. No etude or Bach anymore since I recorded that last week. I haven’t gotten the recordings back yet tho and I might decide to re-record something. I’ll wait and see. Also working on my modern piece.

Peak week in swimming, omg I’m dead. I have ran out of time and emotional and physical energy and I am not eating or sleeping enough. I have not practiced enough. I feel trapped. I keep getting comments on what to practice but I never have time or energy to practice so these little things I can be better at just sit over my head and haunt me, telling me I’m not good enough. It’s ok though! Swim season will be over in 10 days and then I can have my time and energy back to myself!

Friday got to practice for a bit in Hochstein hall after my quintet rehearsal. I ❤️Hochstein hall. I’m gonna miss it.

Master class with Cora Swanson on Saturday. She said a lot of good things, main things being:
- I have lots of great colors and emotion, but I don’t project like I’m playing with an orchestra (or a pno). I need to exaggerate my colors, especially bringing out p
- having a more focused contact point
- wider, fatter sound instead of louder
- I have a habit (that will be addressed) of raising tip on up bows and dropping tip on down bows. Maybe it’s bc my arms are relatively short?

Performed Elgar twice Sunday (in 2 different services). 2nd performance went way better than 1st because I was warmed up. The last 2 videos were taken in the bridal room at this church (I got kicked out of the choir room by the choir, the audacity). It’s actually my favorite room I’ve every practiced in (except for Hochstein hall). I liked the carpet, the bench was really nice, it was really warm, and there were some nice big mirrors, and the lighting was warm and soft. I was debating on taking a nap on the couch but I practiced instead because I’m disciplined! (I took a nap when I got home instead).

Next week:
- getting through swimming (one day peak, then taper)
- Elgar!
- modern piece
- bringing back the BRAHMS 💪
- practicing scales more :)

#cello #practice

Week #10 of #52weeksofpractice (Oct 16-22)

All Elgar this week! I posted more of my “mistakes” bc I think that’s important to show. No etude or Bach anymore since I recorded that last week. I haven’t gotten the recordings back yet tho and I might decide to re-record something. I’ll wait and see. Also working on my modern piece.

Peak week in swimming, omg I’m dead. I have ran out of time and emotional and physical energy and I am not eating or sleeping enough. I have not practiced enough. I feel trapped. I keep getting comments on what to practice but I never have time or energy to practice so these little things I can be better at just sit over my head and haunt me, telling me I’m not good enough. It’s ok though! Swim season will be over in 10 days and then I can have my time and energy back to myself!

Friday got to practice for a bit in Hochstein hall after my quintet rehearsal. I ❤️Hochstein hall. I’m gonna miss it.

Master class with Cora Swanson on Saturday. She said a lot of good things, main things being:
- I have lots of great colors and emotion, but I don’t project like I’m playing with an orchestra (or a pno). I need to exaggerate my colors, especially bringing out p
- having a more focused contact point
- wider, fatter sound instead of louder
- I have a habit (that will be addressed) of raising tip on up bows and dropping tip on down bows. Maybe it’s bc my arms are relatively short?

Performed Elgar twice Sunday (in 2 different services). 2nd performance went way better than 1st because I was warmed up. The last 2 videos were taken in the bridal room at this church (I got kicked out of the choir room by the choir, the audacity). It’s actually my favorite room I’ve every practiced in (except for Hochstein hall). I liked the carpet, the bench was really nice, it was really warm, and there were some nice big mirrors, and the lighting was warm and soft. I was debating on taking a nap on the couch but I practiced instead because I’m disciplined! (I took a nap when I got home instead).

Next week:
- getting through swimming (one day peak, then taper)
- Elgar!
- modern piece
- bringing back the BRAHMS 💪
- practicing scales more :)

#cello #practice

Week #3 of #52weeksofpractice (Aug 28-Sep 3)
Went on a hiking trip Sun afternoon to Friday night so really only had Sat and Sun to record videos AND I FORGOT! I did preform Both Sundays tho, recording from this Sunday on first slide and recording from last Sunday on second. Full recordings coming out soon. Huge difference between these 2 performances is that I had my lesson on SAturday and we changed lowkey a lot of things. I need to work on them and so a lot of them didn’t show or fully show in the second performance (first slide) but I’ll practice it that way for pre-screenings.

I’m literally such a pain in the butt to teach Chris told me to work on Elgar and Etude and i did not work on Elgar and Etude instead i asked him which suite I’m doing for auditions, he foes 3rd, and I go “ok” and then precede to pull it out from 4 years ago, practice it, and then perform it twice and plan a third performance without telling him. I get to my lesson “I did not practice what you told me to” “ok what did you practice?” “Prelude from Bach 3rd Bach suite” “ok! We can work on that. But like you should practice” I don’t deserve his patience

He was proud and so am I now of how much more musical I can be with this pice now compared to how I played it in 8th grade. I really have grown as a musician and my playing is much more mature and refined. It’s only the beginning :)

Worked on things like timing on first scale, longer phrases in first minute, changing phrasing and dynamics before big “mountain climbing” section, and not accidentally emphasizing the wrong notes because “your phrasing shouldn’t be a product of your bowing, your phrasing is independent yet coexists with your bowing” especially in Bach bc I’m sorry 6 slurred up and 1 separate down but they’re all piano?

I’ll focus more on excerpts next week (audition in 6 days!) and my etude becuase ITS REALLY NOT THAT HARD JUST PRACTICE YOUR ETUDE

#cello #practice #bach #bachcellosuites #bachcellosuite3 #bachcellosuite3prelude

Week #3 of #52weeksofpractice (Aug 28-Sep 3)
Went on a hiking trip Sun afternoon to Friday night so really only had Sat and Sun to record videos AND I FORGOT! I did preform Both Sundays tho, recording from this Sunday on first slide and recording from last Sunday on second. Full recordings coming out soon. Huge difference between these 2 performances is that I had my lesson on SAturday and we changed lowkey a lot of things. I need to work on them and so a lot of them didn’t show or fully show in the second performance (first slide) but I’ll practice it that way for pre-screenings.

I’m literally such a pain in the butt to teach Chris told me to work on Elgar and Etude and i did not work on Elgar and Etude instead i asked him which suite I’m doing for auditions, he foes 3rd, and I go “ok” and then precede to pull it out from 4 years ago, practice it, and then perform it twice and plan a third performance without telling him. I get to my lesson “I did not practice what you told me to” “ok what did you practice?” “Prelude from Bach 3rd Bach suite” “ok! We can work on that. But like you should practice” I don’t deserve his patience

He was proud and so am I now of how much more musical I can be with this pice now compared to how I played it in 8th grade. I really have grown as a musician and my playing is much more mature and refined. It’s only the beginning :)

Worked on things like timing on first scale, longer phrases in first minute, changing phrasing and dynamics before big “mountain climbing” section, and not accidentally emphasizing the wrong notes because “your phrasing shouldn’t be a product of your bowing, your phrasing is independent yet coexists with your bowing” especially in Bach bc I’m sorry 6 slurred up and 1 separate down but they’re all piano?

I’ll focus more on excerpts next week (audition in 6 days!) and my etude becuase ITS REALLY NOT THAT HARD JUST PRACTICE YOUR ETUDE

#cello #practice #bach #bachcellosuites #bachcellosuite3 #bachcellosuite3prelude

Bach solo Cello suite no. 3 Prelude
Recording taken on 8-23-23 at the Ukraine benefit concert at the Rochester academy of medicine.

Thank you so much to @isabel_o_a for organizing this concert! It was a wonderful performance opportunity and I’m so happy to have helped out for a good cause of helping the Ukrainian people.

I’m trying to prepare for pre screenings by performing this a bunch for memory and getting some good recordings. For the record, 1) I have not yet played this for my teacher, this is all me and if I’m doing something abominable without knowing it I’m not sorry because I like the way I play this. 2) I did very much mess up in this see week 2 post (tomorrow!). It was near the beginning about a minute in and there’s some funky wunky lil Bach modulations and is that a C# I thought we were in the key of C but the no F# or G# but then I think there’s also an F# there I’m not really sure I normally just go with the flow but the flow was very much not flowing and neither were my brain juices so a quick little “ok” whisper to myself and off to be beginning again!(?) I just need to work on that memory section. I usually try to have things memorized for 2 weeks before I perform them but this one I had only memorized for 1. I knew it was a weak spot and didn’t address it enough so I’ll work on that. I played the end faster than I would’ve liked but that’s because I was scared and wanted to finish without having another memory slip (although the first one sent me back to the beginning which I cut this video to start at). I need to work on not overthinking things while performing and just getting into the music, not the notes. I also find closing my eyes while playing in front of an audience for memory helps. I am very proud of myself though for being able to just start over both literally but also mentally, move on from my mistake, and play the piece as if I didn’t just mess up.

8/10 artistry, dad with 14/10 recording skills, 10/10 handling of the consequences of inadequate preparation, 6/10 memorization, overall 7/10 performance

#cello #bach #performance #bachcellosuites #bachcello #bachcellosuite3 #bachcellosuite3prelude #oopsies

Bach solo Cello suite no. 3 Prelude
Recording taken on 8-23-23 at the Ukraine benefit concert at the Rochester academy of medicine.

Thank you so much to @isabel_o_a for organizing this concert! It was a wonderful performance opportunity and I’m so happy to have helped out for a good cause of helping the Ukrainian people.

I’m trying to prepare for pre screenings by performing this a bunch for memory and getting some good recordings. For the record, 1) I have not yet played this for my teacher, this is all me and if I’m doing something abominable without knowing it I’m not sorry because I like the way I play this. 2) I did very much mess up in this see week 2 post (tomorrow!). It was near the beginning about a minute in and there’s some funky wunky lil Bach modulations and is that a C# I thought we were in the key of C but the no F# or G# but then I think there’s also an F# there I’m not really sure I normally just go with the flow but the flow was very much not flowing and neither were my brain juices so a quick little “ok” whisper to myself and off to be beginning again!(?) I just need to work on that memory section. I usually try to have things memorized for 2 weeks before I perform them but this one I had only memorized for 1. I knew it was a weak spot and didn’t address it enough so I’ll work on that. I played the end faster than I would’ve liked but that’s because I was scared and wanted to finish without having another memory slip (although the first one sent me back to the beginning which I cut this video to start at). I need to work on not overthinking things while performing and just getting into the music, not the notes. I also find closing my eyes while playing in front of an audience for memory helps. I am very proud of myself though for being able to just start over both literally but also mentally, move on from my mistake, and play the piece as if I didn’t just mess up.

8/10 artistry, dad with 14/10 recording skills, 10/10 handling of the consequences of inadequate preparation, 6/10 memorization, overall 7/10 performance

#cello #bach #performance #bachcellosuites #bachcello #bachcellosuite3 #bachcellosuite3prelude #oopsies

Piazzola 4 seasons “Spring”

Recording taken on July 17 as part of the Point Counter Point session 2 midsession concert.

Guess what?! I saved the best for last! This was my favorite chamber performance I think I’ve ever done in my entire life. When I was first learning my part, I liked Winter better than Spring but boy howdy has that changed. I still like Winter, but the energy and umph-ness and turning 3 musicians into one sound, we blew this performance out of the water. Sad we didn’t get to play it at the final concert. This piece I think really did help me with my interpretation and with turning me into a more refined player. The more music I play, the more wonderful musicians I play with and the more wonderful musicians I listen to, the better of a musician I become and I just want to thank you all for that :)

#musican #music #piazzola #piazzolaseasons #pianotrio #cello

Piazzola 4 seasons “Spring”

Recording taken on July 17 as part of the Point Counter Point session 2 midsession concert.

Guess what?! I saved the best for last! This was my favorite chamber performance I think I’ve ever done in my entire life. When I was first learning my part, I liked Winter better than Spring but boy howdy has that changed. I still like Winter, but the energy and umph-ness and turning 3 musicians into one sound, we blew this performance out of the water. Sad we didn’t get to play it at the final concert. This piece I think really did help me with my interpretation and with turning me into a more refined player. The more music I play, the more wonderful musicians I play with and the more wonderful musicians I listen to, the better of a musician I become and I just want to thank you all for that :)

#musican #music #piazzola #piazzolaseasons #pianotrio #cello

Piazzola 4 seasons “Winter”

Recording taken on July 23 as a part of the Point Counter Point session 2 final concert.

Literally my favorite piano trio I’ve ever worked with ever. I freaking love you guys so much. And Piazzola was a new genre of music that I never worked with before and It was such a blast to learn! Overall, I’m pretty thrilled with how we played as a group, especially with creating distinct colors in each section (I love the dramatic beginning and the classical end, think of soft snow falling out your window while falling asleep). I wish I had more time to practice this session, and I wish my solo was more refined because 100% there was miles more of interpretation to do. Also @benji_kaufman you rock.

#music #musician #piazzola #piazzolaseasons #piazzolawinter #pianotrio #cello

Piazzola 4 seasons “Winter”

Recording taken on July 23 as a part of the Point Counter Point session 2 final concert.

Literally my favorite piano trio I’ve ever worked with ever. I freaking love you guys so much. And Piazzola was a new genre of music that I never worked with before and It was such a blast to learn! Overall, I’m pretty thrilled with how we played as a group, especially with creating distinct colors in each section (I love the dramatic beginning and the classical end, think of soft snow falling out your window while falling asleep). I wish I had more time to practice this session, and I wish my solo was more refined because 100% there was miles more of interpretation to do. Also @benji_kaufman you rock.

#music #musician #piazzola #piazzolaseasons #piazzolawinter #pianotrio #cello

“Death Valley Junction” by Missy Mazzoli
Recording taken on July 23 as a part of the Point Counter Point session 2 final concert.

Piece is about a little town in NV/CA called Death Valley Junction. 3 inhabitants, a coffee shop, Hotel, and opera house, where a woman did one-woman shows for years until she retired in 2009.

Holy Moly where do I begin. First of all, contemporary! My first time playing contemporary (for cool cello solo skip to end). At first, I was like, wtf, but now I understand that contemporary music, like contemporary art, is all about texture. It’s all about finding new sounds that create new vivid images, and that’s something I now find I really appreciate. So when you listen to this, keep an open mind. Listen to the dry, harsh harmonics at the beginning and think of a dry, harsh desert landscape. Listen to the intense speeding up of voices throughout the group and think of the excitement and wonder you might feel when approaching a small town in the distance after trekking through hell for hours. When you hear the more melodic dancing in the violins, think of an odd yet lively one woman show in a very unique opera house. And when you hear the cello solo at the end, think of the pain of being a Junior in high school, begging your teachers to understand that you just want to drop the class and you just want to run off and be a musician and please give me an extension because I am not ok but now I am because I just came back from PCP and conservatory is only 1 year away!

#musician #music #quartet #stringquartet #contemporary #contemporarymusic #modernmusic #mazzoli #deathvalleyjunction #cello

“Death Valley Junction” by Missy Mazzoli
Recording taken on July 23 as a part of the Point Counter Point session 2 final concert.

Piece is about a little town in NV/CA called Death Valley Junction. 3 inhabitants, a coffee shop, Hotel, and opera house, where a woman did one-woman shows for years until she retired in 2009.

Holy Moly where do I begin. First of all, contemporary! My first time playing contemporary (for cool cello solo skip to end). At first, I was like, wtf, but now I understand that contemporary music, like contemporary art, is all about texture. It’s all about finding new sounds that create new vivid images, and that’s something I now find I really appreciate. So when you listen to this, keep an open mind. Listen to the dry, harsh harmonics at the beginning and think of a dry, harsh desert landscape. Listen to the intense speeding up of voices throughout the group and think of the excitement and wonder you might feel when approaching a small town in the distance after trekking through hell for hours. When you hear the more melodic dancing in the violins, think of an odd yet lively one woman show in a very unique opera house. And when you hear the cello solo at the end, think of the pain of being a Junior in high school, begging your teachers to understand that you just want to drop the class and you just want to run off and be a musician and please give me an extension because I am not ok but now I am because I just came back from PCP and conservatory is only 1 year away!

#musician #music #quartet #stringquartet #contemporary #contemporarymusic #modernmusic #mazzoli #deathvalleyjunction #cello

Schostkovich piano trio no. 2 mvt. 1.
Recording taken on July 9 as part of the Point Counter Point session 1 final concert.

I was initially upset that I had to play this piece because I wanted piano trio no. 1 (It’s so good go listen!) but no I’m so less than upset. I am convinced Shostakovich was one of the greatest composers of all time. This piece in particular (later movements) were dedicated to holocaust victims and many of his other pieces were too. A huge theme in a lot of his composition is in fact just that: giving a voice to those who don’t have one. And that is such an important and meaningful job to have and I am so glad I, as a musician, have the means to also share lost voices, stories, and lessons they teach. I will never again complain about playing a piece by Shostakovich. In fact, Shostakovich is my new favorite composer and you can fight me on that Julian.

Overall I loved working on this piece and I am pretty satisfied with the performance. I loved the tempo and energy we created, especially in the beginning half and middle-end. I’m proud of how much progress I made on my false harmonics (our group name was false harmonics, false hopes) although they could’ve definitely been cleaner. One of my favorite groups I’ve worked with, I’ll miss you guys.

#musician #music #shostakovich #schostakowitsch #pianotrio #schostakovichpianotrio #shostakovichpianotrio2 #cello

Schostkovich piano trio no. 2 mvt. 1.
Recording taken on July 9 as part of the Point Counter Point session 1 final concert.

I was initially upset that I had to play this piece because I wanted piano trio no. 1 (It’s so good go listen!) but no I’m so less than upset. I am convinced Shostakovich was one of the greatest composers of all time. This piece in particular (later movements) were dedicated to holocaust victims and many of his other pieces were too. A huge theme in a lot of his composition is in fact just that: giving a voice to those who don’t have one. And that is such an important and meaningful job to have and I am so glad I, as a musician, have the means to also share lost voices, stories, and lessons they teach. I will never again complain about playing a piece by Shostakovich. In fact, Shostakovich is my new favorite composer and you can fight me on that Julian.

Overall I loved working on this piece and I am pretty satisfied with the performance. I loved the tempo and energy we created, especially in the beginning half and middle-end. I’m proud of how much progress I made on my false harmonics (our group name was false harmonics, false hopes) although they could’ve definitely been cleaner. One of my favorite groups I’ve worked with, I’ll miss you guys.

#musician #music #shostakovich #schostakowitsch #pianotrio #schostakovichpianotrio #shostakovichpianotrio2 #cello

Beethoven string quartet Op. 95 “Serioso”
Recording taken on July 9 as a part of the Point Counter Point session 1 final concert.
PCP was a blast, as was playing this piece. So much energy, man do I love mid-late Beethoven. Performance went ok I swear it sounded better in real life than on the recording. But overall I love the energy we created with this piece and how by the end of camp we were able to work on more advanced things like artistry rather than just on being together.

#music #musician #cello #quartet #beethoven #beethovenserioso #beethovenop95

Beethoven string quartet Op. 95 “Serioso”
Recording taken on July 9 as a part of the Point Counter Point session 1 final concert.
PCP was a blast, as was playing this piece. So much energy, man do I love mid-late Beethoven. Performance went ok I swear it sounded better in real life than on the recording. But overall I love the energy we created with this piece and how by the end of camp we were able to work on more advanced things like artistry rather than just on being together.

#music #musician #cello #quartet #beethoven #beethovenserioso #beethovenop95

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Check out my Instagram <3

@jo_plays_cello

Listen on Youtube

bottom of page